Borough
Architectural period
Architectural type
Facility

We will be launching the 2022 programme in mid-August

  • Underline - view of a recently redeveloped space
  • Underline - view of a space awaiting redevelopment
  • Underline Discovery Sessions

DLR Underline Discovery Sessions

TfL- DLR Engineers

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Meet at: For guided walks: meet outside of Heron Quay DLR Station. For all other events: meet 10 mins early at Baltimore Wharf's parking lot - under the DLR tracks- just outside DLR Crossharbour Station.
place
DLR Underline - Isle of Dogs, From Crossharbour DLR Station to South Dock, E14 3BQ

Travel Information

subway
Nearest tube: Crossharbour & London Arena, South Quay, Mudchute, Canary Wharf
directions_bus
Bus routes: 135
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DLR Underline Discovery Sessions covers a series of events for all ages focused on exploring the spaces under the DLR on the Isle of Dogs, with activities exploring the area's architecture, heritage and the public realm.

Events

Saturday 4th September
Underline Discovery Sessions - Insta Isle of Dogs
schedule Time: All-day
Open online picture competition highlighting what is valued in the area. Instagram #DLRUnderline
Saturday 11th September
Underline Discovery Sessions – Sketch Crawl
schedule Time: 11am to 2pm
group Capacity: 20
Please contact lbth.regeneration@towerhamlets.gov.uk for clarifications or further information. A moving workshop along the DLR Underline capturing the spaces and surroundings through a series of quick drawings and sketches. Participants are encouraged to bring their sketchbooks and drawing tools as only some materials will be available on site
Underline Discovery Sessions - Info Desk
schedule Time: 11am to 4pm
group Capacity: 8
Live chat with Tower Hamlets regeneration officers who will be on site to discuss the project's aims and regeneration context. Please contact lbth.regeneration@towerhamlets.gov.uk for clarifications or further information.
Visitors can arrive at any time during the opening hours.
There may be queues at busy times.
Underline Discovery Sessions - Social Broadcasting
schedule Time: 11am to 1pm
group Capacity: 2
1 interview slot every 20 minutes (with up to 2 people). Interviews recorded on site with guests and residents who would like to share their knowledge of the site and wider area. Please contact lbth.regeneration@towerhamlets.gov.uk for clarifications or further information.
Underline Discovery Sessions – Isle of Dogs Past to Present Guided Walking Tour
schedule Time: 2pm to 4pm
group Capacity: 25
Walking tour with blue badge guide talking about the past, present and future of the area. Please contact lbth.regeneration@towerhamlets.gov.uk for clarifications or further information.
Underline Discovery Sessions - Social Broadcasting
schedule Time: 2pm to 4pm
group Capacity: 12
1 interview slot every 20 minutes (with up to 2 people). Interviews recorded on site with guests and residents who would like to share their knowledge of the site and wider area. Please contact lbth.regeneration@towerhamlets.gov.uk for clarifications or further information.
Underline Discovery Sessions – Sketch Crawl
schedule Time: 3pm to 6pm
group Capacity: 20
Please contact lbth.regeneration@towerhamlets.gov.uk for clarifications or further information. A moving workshop along the DLR Underline capturing the spaces and surroundings through a series of quick drawings and sketches. Participants are encouraged to bring their sketchbooks and drawing tools as only some materials will be available on site
Underline Discovery Sessions - Geopoetry
schedule Time: 4pm to 6pm
group Capacity: 15
Literature workshop to explore and respond to the site & area with poetry/writing. Age 16+. Materials and refreshments provided. Please contact lbth.regeneration@towerhamlets.gov.uk for clarifications or further information.
Sunday 12th September
Underline Discovery Sessions – Isle of Dogs Past to Present Guided Walking Tour
schedule Time: 11am to 1pm
group Capacity: 25
Walking tour with blue badge guide talking about the past, present and future of the area. Please contact lbth.regeneration@towerhamlets.gov.uk for clarifications or further information.

Design

Original design
TfL- DLR Engineers, 1987
Type
open site, public realm/landscape, walk/tour, event, infrastructure/engineering
Period
Historical/contemporary

  • Regeneration Context

    The Isle of Dogs & South Poplar area is dramatically changing. It will see some of the densest and tallest residential development in the UK come forward over the next 15 years. The area has therefore been identified by Tower Hamlets Approach to Regeneration as one of the main areas in which change should be carefully managed to secure the delivery of social and environmental benefits for the local communities while growth happens.

    The DLR in the Isle of Dogs & South Poplar is an important piece of infrastructure not only as it keeps the area connected but also as the space under the tracks holds the potential to be developed as public open space, offering breathing space in the face of all incoming development. An improved space under the DLR would link the area at pedestrian level while activating it with new uses such as cultural events and social activities.

    In the face of the opportunities and challenges identified within the Isle of Dogs and South Poplar, plus the opportunity to activate the area post-COVID, the Council’s Regeneration Team has created the DLR Underline Activation project. The project aims to test how diverse, more creative uses can be hosted under the DLR, raising the profile of the site and setting a precedent for its potential longer-term activation, whilst helping to create a coherent vision for the space and celebrating the area and its people.

    The Underline Discovery Sessions are the first of series of temporary interventions to test the potential of the space to host more diverse uses. These will be a series of small events held as part of the Open House Festival 2021, exploring the site’s architecture, heritage and public realm.

    All events will be held on site and will provide opportunities for the public to explore the area through activities such as: contributing to the recording of a podcast about the area; responding to the site by writing poetry; highlighting what is of community value by sharing photographs online; capturing the built environment with sketches and drawings; joining a regeneration themed guided tour; walking along an historic audio trail; or just coming along to discuss the context of the project with some of the Borough’s officers.

Volunteer for Open House Festival Participants' site